Vertical slat venetian blind



June 8, 1954 w. A. HARJU ET AL VERTICAL sLAT VENETIAN BLIND Filed Dec. 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l \N g \N 4.a mm

ATTORNEY Malibu June 8, 1954 w. A. HARJU ET AL VERTICAL SLAT VENETIAN BLIND Filed Dec. 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 v' JNVENToRS WALTER A. HAHJU B/LL/M 5. CRI/MP ATTORNEY June 8, 1954 w. A. HARJu ET AL VERTICAL sLAT VENETIAN BLIND 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 6, 1950 INVENTORS` E@ A. Ham/u BY WML/AM .9. .cm/MP ATTORNEY June 8, 1954 w. A. HARJU ET ALv VERTICAL SLAT VENETIAN BLIND 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS A. HRJU 5. ORI/MP Y WALTER BYW/LL/AM Wmv Filed Dec. 6, 1950 ATTORNEY June 8, 1954 w. A. HARJU ET'AL VERTICAL SLAT VENETIAN BLIND Eiled nec. 6, 195o s 'sheets-sheet s INVENTORS WALTER A. HA/PJU l d ATTORNEY Patented June 8, 1954 2,680,480 VERTICAL SLAT VENETIAN BLIND Walter A. Harju and Mountain View,

william B. Crump,

Calif.

Application December 6, 1950, Serial No. 199,422 Claims. (Cl. 160-172) 'Ihis invention relates to Venetian blinds with vertically suspended slats.

The primary object of the invention is to pro- Fig. 2 is a fragmental plan view of the suspending and adjusting device showing the posiview of the suspending and ad-` tion in which the slats are gathered or packed at an edge of the opening.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental front view showing the slats in spread and open position. 'Fig. 4 is a sectional side view showing the suspension of a slat.

Fig. 5 is a perspective, partly sectional and of the device partly development View showing the slats at-` tachment to the suspending and adjusting device. sectional, perspective view of the of a pair of slats and a form o1 self adjustable spacing device thereon.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental view of the lower portion of a slat with a weight hooked thereon.

Fig. 8 is a perspective, somewhat diagrammatic view of an assembled Venetian blind unit.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a slat with an integral suspending extension on its top.

Y Fig. 10 is a fragmental, sectional perspective form of slat suspension.

Fig. 11 is a fragmental top plan view of said other form shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is another modied embodiment of our slat adjusting device.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of another modified embodiment of our Slat suspending and adjusting device.

Fig. 14 is a plan' view of the device shown in Fig. 13 with the slats gathered or packed at the edges of the opening.

Fig. 15 is a sectional plan view of the lower ends of the slats with a slat holder at the bottom when the slats are open.

Fig. 16 is a sectional plan View of the lower ends of the slats with a slat holder at the bottom when the slats are closed.

Fig. 17 is a sectional plan view showing another form of slat aligner at the bottom.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of our device with Ksaid slat holder at the bottom.

Fig. 19 is a perspective detail holder element of our device.

Fig. 20 is a perspective View of the sliding pivot.

Fig. 21 is a fragmental perspective view of the top of a slat.

Fig. 22 is a Ytop of a slat.

In its general organization, as illustrated in the embodiment shown in view of a line of another form sectional fragmental View of the f: o track 4 is supported on the brackets I and 3. The track 4 is formed of a pair of parallel flat bars 6 horizontally spaced from one another so as to form a downwardly open channel 1 therebetween. The bars 6 are held in vertical slots 8 in the end brackets I. A central clamp 9 on the middle of the track 4 is held by a screw II on the middle bracket 3 to secure the track 4 in place and to act as the central abutment for the slidable slat 'supporting device on the opposite sides of the track 4.

The slidable and pivotal supporting device in cludes a plurality of sliding sleeves or blocks I2 on the track 4. Each sliding block hasavertical hole I3 therethrough aligned with the track chanv.

nel 1. In each hole I3 is a freely rotating bushing I4 the head I6 of whichrests Aon .the top of the sliding block I2. A pivot'shaft 11 is journailed in said bushing Iii. On the top of tlieipivot shaft I1 and spaced from the top of the sliding block I2 is a bent portion forming a crank-arm I8 with anupward pivot'i 3 on its outer end. The manipulating connections for Ithe blind are located on said pivot shaft i1 and on said crank pivot Iilfor turning the pivot shaft I1 or for drawing together or spreading the sliding blocks I-2 along the track 4.

-On the lower end of each pivot shaft '-11 .and spaced downwardly from the track 4 is suitably ysuspended a 'Venetian blind slat Z-I, which is preferably made of light metal and is of Aconcavecovex cross section. As shown in Fig. 5, the lower end of the-pivot shaft I1 has a hook 22 thereon, which hooks into a hole 23 in the tip of the slat 2 I. The slat 2i has a tapered tip formed by converging side edges 24. The hole 23 is spaced from and aligned with the apex 26 of the tip of the Slat 2 I.

The connecting devices for manipulation include a plurality of pai-rs of interlocking links 21. The links 21 rpivoted on the crank arms t8 serve to turn the pivot shafts I1 'and the slats 2l therewith. The links 21 ion the pivot shaft I1 under the crank arms IB serve to exert a pull on -the shafts I1 to slide the sliding blocks l2 along the track 4.

There are two links 21 fulcrumed on each pivot vshaft I1 and two links 21 on the pivot 'I3 -on the end of each `crank arm I8. The ylinks 21 fulcrumed on the same fulcrum extend generally oppositely to one anotherfrespectivelytoward the next'adjacent sliding blocks i2.

For the interlocking of the-pairs of connecting links 21, one of the links-21 has in it an elongated journalslot 23 near its -free end, and the other link 21 of each pair has its end curved and notched on its opposite edges spaced'from-its free end to-form a pivot neck Manda transverse-head 3|. This transverse-head-3I -of -one -link 21 is inserted into the slot 23 -of the next link-by tilting the-first link and fthe head-edgevvise and when the slot 28 is on the neck 29, turning the first link-21 toits upright position. This Lprovides a simple and secure pivotal connection without any additional parts but the links. Vseries of links 21 on the crank pivot I3 and on the pivot -shaft I1 includes links alternately with slots 28 and with head 3! at their ends, and-alternate `pairs-of links `21 have their tubular fulcrum-hubs 32 adjacent the crank arm I2 or spaced-from the crank arm I8. In other words there-are tivo fulcrum hubs 32 positioned end to end on each crank arm-pivot is anden each pivot shaft I1.

For the manipulation lof the blind a suitable "pull cord 33 is secured to the last link 21 of the series of the pivot shaft I1, namely the link 21 nearest the middle bracket 3, so that when the cord 33 is pulled toward the edge of the opening it exerts a pull on the pivot shaft I1 and slides the last sliding block I2 toward said edge of said opening. It is to be noted thateach link 21 is longer than half the distance between the centers of adjacent sliding blocks I2 so that each pair of links 21'converges a't an 'ang-le to facilitate the folding and unfolding of the pairs 4of links 21 about their connecting pivots. The pairs of links 21 extend generally inwardly into the area between the pivot shaft I1 and the crank arm pivot I9.

As the-outermost sliding block i2 is pulled oy vlille-cord 33 its links fold about their pivots and it abuts against and pushes the next block 2 v'along A"the track 4, thus gathering the blocks I2 and the-slats 2| thereon into a pack.

Another cord 311 is secured to the link 21 on the crank arm ,pivot i9 nearest -the-edge-of the opening at which the blind -is packed. By :pulling this turning cord .S4-the crankarrns 'i6 are turned yuniformly in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 2,-and the pivot shafts 1 1 are turned therewith.

It is to be rnoted that when the crank arms I8 are at right-angles to the track'li the slats 2i are fully open, namely theplanes of the-slats 2'I are also at right angles Ito the plane of the lbuilding opening.

A third cord 36 is secured to the link 21 on the l.crank arm I8 nearest the center :bracket .3 Iand is played over a pulley 31 on an arm 33 extended from the bracket 3 in a direction-away `from said nearest crank arm I-t. r-lhen this third'co'rd .'i is'extended back to the end bracket xI.

On the outer end of the track *4 is a journal bracket 39 on which a-re journalled a pair of pulleys III and 42. The rst and second cords 33 and 34 are played-over and hang down from the pulley 4I, and the third-cord 36 is "over the other pulley 42.

In order `to spread the Venetian blind over `the opening along the track 4, the third-'cord 36 is lpulled down so-as -toturn-andpull the crank arms I8 and the pivot-shafts ll-awayffromthe-adjacent end bracket I. Then the slats "2l may be left closed. To `turn the blind slats v2i toopen'position the second cord 34 Ais pulled to turn the crank arms I8 clockwise. To gather `and pack the slats I8, the first cord 33 ispulled.

The entire overhead'structure maybe-covered by a suitable cornice to -conceal the track and working parts.

While generallythe slats 2i hang vertically by themselves, in order to-diminish flapping of the slats -2-I -means are provided to hold the bottom or lower ends-of the-slats 2l. For 'this purpose a hole 46 isprovided near 'the lower end ci each -slat-ZII. -A stem 41 has fa -hookti at its end for hooking in each-hole 46. These sterns41 extend below 'the bottoms of the slats 21 and, in the form shown in Fig-6, are-connected by links l21 in-the same'manner as-the links 21 connect the -top `pivot 'shafts I1. Thus the relative move- -ments of the bottom-ends of tlie'sla'ts 2l are similar to the relative movements of the tops of the slats 2| and work in unison.

In the Aform shown in Fig. -7 each stern 41 hai a suitable weight'li thereon to exert a downwa'rc pull on the Vslat 2l and prevent flapping o; swinging.

Another connection `between the lower ends o the slats 2I is Vshown Vin the general -perspectiv view in Fig. '8, wherein a-horizontal cord 5I ex prevent the flapping of the slats 2|. When the slats 2| are turned into overlapping closed position, as shown 1n Fig. 16, the bar 54 is shifted against the convex faces of the slats 2|.

In Fig. 1'7 is shown a sliding guide and holder for the lower portions of the slats 2 A cord 58 is held taut on suitable end anchor pins 59 and forms a guide line. 'Another exible cord 6| is wrapped around the taut cord 58 and is secured to the adjacent edges of the slats 2| in the manner above described in Figs. 8 and 12.` Thus the slats 2| are held against napping and are also guided on a straight line near their bottom as the blind is moved along its track 4.

The overhead adjusting and suspending structure shown 1n Figs. 13, 14 and 13 includes a base board 62 supported on suitable brackets 63. A

the top of the board 62. A head 69 extends to one side of the top of the stem 66 and rests on The line clamp ears 18 are clamped at spaced intervals over a spacing cord 19.

On the outermost end stem 66 and above the head of the bushing 61 is pivoted a horizontal lever 8| having a hole 82 at each end thereof.

Into the hole 82 on the side of the clamp ears 18 is secured a second pull cord 83 for the gathering or packing of the slats 2| Into the o ther or outer In order to spread the slats over` the opening the third pull cord 86 is pulled which through the ring 84 and the lever 8| pulls the stems 66 and slats thereon away from the end at which the slats are normally gathered or packed. The slats are gathered by pulling the second cord 83. The slats are turned to open position by pulling the rst cord 11, and turned to closed position by pulling the thir cord 86 when the slats are spread.

As shown in Figs. 18 and 21 the stem 66 is secured by a hook 9|- on the stem 66 into a hole slat |0|.

In the form shown in Figs. 10 and 11 the pivot shaf is formed of a double stem substantially |86 has on it a headed bushing |01 rotatably on sald stem |86 bears against the underside of the board 62 to prevent tilting of the pivot. Another bushing |09 is spaced above the rst bushing 91 and between the bushings there is clamped Within the double stem |96 a multiple strand cord to function as a spacer cord similarly to the spacer cord 19 shown in Fig. 13. The lower end of one of the stems is provided directions, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. The

suitably secured to the tip of the slat extends through a pair of bushings ||1 and through the channel slot 64. The respective heads of the bushings I |1 slidably bear against the opposite faces of the base board 62. A cross head 8 on the top of each stem I6, hasra hole 9 in each end thereof into one of which is secured a turning cord |2| which functions as the connecting cord 19 in Fig. 13. Another cord |22 to one half of the double series or sets of slats channeled guide kWay means adapted to be mounted across a building opening to be served A Washer |88 assenso b'y 'the blind structure, slat carriers supported io'n and being slidable along said guide 'way frnea'ns, turnable 'slat suspending elements gournalled in the respective carriers abou-t vertical axes, crank members 'on said suspending elerne'nts 'for imparting turning lmotion to said fr'n'ernbers, a pair of pivoted links between each pair di adjacent elements, 'a pair of pivoted links between each Apair of adjacent crank -members, 'each of said pairs lof links vbeing 'disposed 'at an Iangle when said carriers are extended vover 'said `guide way means and being 'foldable upon one lariotl'ier as said carriers are stacked together, and maintaining lines connected to atleast one 'di `said suspending elements and crank members for respectively pulling and t-urning said vsuspending elements.

2. a Venetian -blind structure, .a channel guide way means adapted to be mounted across building opening,r to be served by the blind structure, Aa series ci Isla-t carriers supported on and'being slidable along said channel guide way means, a slet suspending stem rotatably extended through and supported on each carrier and be- 'ing adapted to suspenda blind 'slat thereon in perpendicular position, a crank arm on each stemya pair of links journalled on each 'stem and Vextended in opposite directions generally to- Ward the respective links extended from stems on the opposite sides of said 'nrst stem, 'a pair of links journalled on 'each crank arm on a generally vertical axis and extended generally to- 'ward 'the links extended from the 'next adjacent crank'arm on each side of said iirst crank arm, the respective links extended toward one another being pivoted together to form oldable connections, line guides for manipulating lines at an end of said guide way means, 'a line connected to the stem farthest from 'said line 'guides and'extended over said guides,"a second line connected to the crank arm farthest from said line guides and extended 'over said guides, means to direct said second line for pullingsaid crank arm `in a direction away from said line guides, and

a third line connected to the crank arm link f nearest to said guides for exerting turning force oppositely to the'force'exerted by saidsecond line. 3. /A Venetian blind structure comprising,

channeled lguide way means adapted to be mounted across a'building opening to be served by the blind structure, slat carrierssupported on and being slidable along said guide way means, turnable slat suspending elements .journalled in the respective carriers about vertical axes, crank cmembers, on said suspending elements -or imparting turning motion to'said members, a pair of vpivcted links between each pair foi adjacent elements, c, pair of Apivot-ed links between each pair of adjacent crank members, each 'of said pairs oi links being disposed at an angle `when said carriers are extended over said guide way means and being oldable upon one another as said carriers are stacked together, and manipulating lines connected to at least one of -said suspending elements and crank members for respectively pulling and turning said suspending elements, said manipulating lines including a rst line connected to the stem farthest from side of the opening where said blind is gathered to be pulled toward said side f r gathering the blind on said opening, a second line connected to the crank arm on said farthest stem and-guided to ed across a building opening blind structure, slat 'carriers supported on and fed to exert a pull fsla'ts with respect to hook on each suspension L'exert la pull away `from said 'side of said lopening 'to spread said blind 'over said opening Iand to 'turnsaid cran-k arms into overlapping positions, 'and a third line connected 'to the `crank arm nearest to said side of said opening for `turning the cranks to sl'at opening positions.

4. A Venetian channeled guide way means blind structure comprising,

adapted to be mountto be served by the being slidable along said .guide way'means, turnable slat suspending elements journalled -in 'the respective carriers 'about vertical axes, crank members on 'said suspending elements fior imparting turning motion to said members, fa pair pair of adjacent of pivoted links between each elements, a pair of pivoted Ilinks between I'each 'p'air of adjacent crank members, each 'of said 'pairs of links being disposed at an angle when said carriers are extended over said guide way 'means' and being foldable 'upon one another 'as said carriers are stacked together, and manipulating lines `connected to at least one 'of said suspending elements and crank members for respectively pulling vand turning said suspending elements, `said manipulating lines including a irs't line connected to the stem farthest Vfrom side of the Vopening where said blind Vis gathered to be pulled toward said side `ior gathering the blind onc said opening, a second line connected to the crank arm on said farthest stem and 'guidaway from said side `of said opening to spread said blind over said opening and to turn said crank arms into overlapping positions, and a thirdline connected to the'crank varm nearest k'to said side of said opening 'for -turning the cranks -to slat opening positions, and

pulleys adjacent said side ofsaid structure opening, saidlinesbeing played over said pulleys and extending downwardly for manipulation.

5. The combination with a guideway for suspending vertical Venetian blind slats and 'manipulating fdevice for `turning and sliding said said guideway; of Venetian blind slats of vgenerally concavo-co'nvex rcross section, upwardly converging edges at the top of 'each slat forperinitting overlapping o'f the 'slats in closed stacked positions, a suspension pivot element adapted to be slidably and 'turnably suspended from `said guideway, said slat having a hole through said top thereo, and 'a y pivot element engageable with said'hole, a crank arm extended laterally from each element above said guideway, .a pair oi Ylinks connecting adjacent stems at their portions between said crank arm and said guideway, and a pair of links connecting adjacent crank arms, and'rneans to connect said links'in series tosaid respective manipulating devices respectively `for turning said'slats simultaneously Vand `for gathering or spreading said slats longitudinally of said guideway.

'References'Cited in the file of this patent 

